Date: 12 February 2018Shopworkers trade union leader John Hannett today marks the start of the TUC’s ‘♥UNIONS’ week (12 to 18 February 2018) by paying tribute to and celebrating the hard work and dedication of lay workplace reps who deliver so much for members across the country.

John Hannett – Usdaw General Secretary says: “Usdaw is the campaigning union, improving workers’ lives and delivering for our members. Usdaw’s reps and activists do a great job promoting fairness at work, lifelong learning and health and safety in their workplaces.

“Despite government attacks on unions, we continue to recruit workers, grow stronger and focus relentlessly on serving members. We are reaching out to workers in unorganised workplaces, including Marks and Spencer, Lidl and Aldi. It is shocking that those companies refuse to recognise a union and give their staff a say in their working lives.

“Usdaw is the independent trade union for M&S, Lidl and Aldi workers and we call on those companies to recognise us. If they are so confident they treat their staff fairly, they have nothing to fear from them being represented by Usdaw. Trade unions are problem solvers, not trouble makers.

“Throughout ‘♥UNIONS’ week, Usdaw along with the TUC is celebrating the positive contribution trade union members make to the UK economy.”

Liam has had support from his Usdaw rep since he was 18: “I’ve always been really into history so I knew about everything the unions had done in the past to secure better conditions and pay for people, so joining a union seemed like the most logical step after getting my job. Encouraged by conversations with a rep in my store I signed up and I have never regretted it.

“As a younger worker, just having a rep to guide and support me has been a huge help. I’ve always felt happier at work knowing if something were to happen my union would be right behind me to support me.

“I strongly believe that everyone should be a member of a union. Everything people take for granted like holidays, and health and safety would never have happened without the trade unions.”

Notes for editors:

Usdaw (Union of Shop, Distributive and Allied Workers) is the UK's fifth biggest and the fastest growing trade union with over 430,000 members. Membership has increased by more than 28% over the decade. Most Usdaw members work in the retail sector, but the union also has many members in transport, distribution, food manufacturing, chemicals and other trades.